塘 (táng) - Pond — an artificial or natural pool of & embankment

塘Tone 2

táng ｜ 13 strokes ｜ radical:

檀婷

塘 · táng

Pond — an artificial or natural pool of water;

embankment;

dyke;

also refers to a hot water bathing pool.

Pond — an artificial or natural pool ofembankmentdyke

Usage highlights

Fish pondLotus pondReservoirEmbankmentBathing poolPond scenery

Synonyms

  • 池— pond, pool
  • 潭— deep pool

Antonyms

  • 山— mountain (elevated landform vs. depression)
  • 丘— hill (elevated landform)

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • There is a lotus pond in the garden (荷花塘).
  • They built an embankment to prevent flooding (堤塘).
  • We visited the hot springs bathhouse (温泉澡塘).
  • The fish swim in the pond (鱼塘).

Collocations

  • Fish pond(鱼塘)
  • Lotus pond(荷塘)
  • Reservoir(水库塘)
  • Embankment(堤塘)
  • Bathing pool(澡塘)
  • Pond scenery(塘景)

Idioms

  • Half a pond of spring water, one hook of curved moon(半亩方塘一鉴开)
  • Fishing in a muddy pond(浑水摸鱼 - idiomatically similar concept)
  • The lotus pond under the moonlight(荷塘月色)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Historically important for agriculture and water management in rural China.
  • Ponds are common features in classical Chinese gardens, representing tranquility and nature.
  • Often appears in poetry and art as a symbol of rural life and natural beauty.

FAQ